The Geopolitical Pickle

In June 2025 the city of Prague hosted GLOBSEC Forum 2025, one of the largest and most influencial security events in Europe. Our colleague Matt Heibel was there, and we will discuss with him the key takeaways from the event as well as the current security situation in Europe, the problems with a unified approach, and the perceptions shared by experts and politicians in the event. Mentioned past episodes: Sportswashing and the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlevFjYfpIE https://open.spotify.com/episode/2bvbbHr1DcY0RVtWSNqmvT?si=318012a923304161 EU Defence Takes Off https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fr9ATb6vhB8 https://open.spotify.com/episode/1vbfMIVCayoVXPWdH5esIB?si=198a13d1195245bf Follow our Newsletter on Substack! Newsletter: https://substack.com/@thegeopoliticalpickle Disinformation Project: https://youtu.be/9TdDalo_XI0?si=pMOlJsPxu-CuW7rv All links: https://linktr.ee/thegeopoliticalpickle #podcast #Geopolitics #Europe #Defence #Security #Geopolitics #Russia #NATO #USA #China #Drones #Energy #Migration #Prague #GLOBSEC

Antonia Colibasanu, author among other works of "Geopolitics, Geoeconomics and Borderlands: A Study of a Changing Eurasia and Its Implications for Europe" comes to the podcast again to help us understand the current state of affairs in global trade. Tariffs, changes in alliances, uncertainty... These words are capital to understand today's state of global trade. In an era of apparent recession of liberalism for a kind of return to mercantilism and protectionism is important to undertand how did we get here, and what can we expect in the near future. Newsletter: https://substack.com/@thegeopoliticalpickle Disinformation Project: https://youtu.be/9TdDalo_XI0?si=pMOlJsPxu-CuW7rv All links: https://linktr.ee/thegeopoliticalpickle #podcast #Geopolitics #Geoeconomics #Trade #USA #EU #European Union #Sanctions #Tariffs #Economy #Liberalism

At the beginning of the year, polls were giving a strong victory to the conservative opposition in Canada and Australia ahead of their elections in May. Five months later, both states saw a sweeping majority for the incumbent center-left parties coming out of their elections in a historical 180-shift of the vote. And one name comes to the table, Donald Trump. Join us in the analysis of the impact of the first months of the new US administration in the electoral results of two of it's historically closest allies. Newsletter: https://substack.com/@thegeopoliticalpickle Disinformation Project: https://youtu.be/9TdDalo_XI0?si=pMOlJsPxu-CuW7rv All links: https://linktr.ee/thegeopoliticalpickle #podcast #Geopolitics #Australia #Canada #Trump #USA

We asked AI to help us understand how will Artificial Intelligence impact geopolitics! We explore how AI is reshaping global power structures, influencing international relations, redefining national security, and impacting democracy. From cybersecurity dilemmas to economic strategies and the impact on the battlefield, discover how different actors are navigating the AI revolution. Tune in for an episode that will challenge your perspectives and ignite thoughtful debate! #podcast #AI #Geopolitics #ChatGPT #DeepSeek #Economy

1 Trillion Euros. That's what the EU Comission is aiming to unlock in order to ramp-up it's defence industry. How did we get here? What is the current state of EU's collective defence? How does the future of NATO look like with the current Trump administration? Newsletter: https://substack.com/@thegeopoliticalpickle Disinformation Project: https://youtu.be/9TdDalo_XI0?si=pMOlJsPxu-CuW7rv All links: https://linktr.ee/thegeopoliticalpickle #Podcast #Geopolitics #EU #EUDefence #US #Russia #Military

Donald Trump has taken the White House by storm from the first day, and bombarding national and international media with topics to cover. In today's episode we speak about Tariffs, what they are, and the possible reasons behind Trump's use of them against its own "allies". What do they represent for USA's relations with it's allies in the short and medium run? What geopolitical map is being drawn with them? Newsletter: https://substack.com/@thegeopoliticalpickle Disinformation Project: https://youtu.be/9TdDalo_XI0?si=pMOlJsPxu-CuW7rv All links: https://linktr.ee/thegeopoliticalpickle #Podcast #2024 #Geopolitics #TRUMP #Tariffs #Mexico #Canada

Christmas-End of the year-Whenever you watch it-Special Episode of The Geopolitical Pickle! This year was really eventful, and we wanted to have a more relaxed set up to comment it. In a unique episode, we talked about the year 2024 and some of the most important news that we received. From AI, to climate change, and obviosly Geopolitics with Syria, Russia, or USA. From The Geopolitical Pickle, we want to thank you all that have been with us in this 2024, and we wish you the best of luck on 2025. Cheers to you all! Newsletter: https://substack.com/@thegeopoliticalpickle Disinformation Project: https://youtu.be/9TdDalo_XI0?si=pMOlJsPxu-CuW7rv All links: https://linktr.ee/thegeopoliticalpickle #Podcast #2024 #Geopolitics #Russia #AI #Syria #Trump

TGP is back! After Disinformation Project we are back with our normal format and today we discuss BRICS. What started as an acronym used by economists in the West to name the upcoming economic powers in the early 2000s has transformed into a series of summits where economy and geopolitics go hand in hand. Is it the beginning of a cohesive counterbalance to the US-led economic system? How have they developed and which countries are involved? Are these countries as close as some want to see? Newsletter: https://substack.com/@thegeopoliticalpickle Disinformation Project: https://youtu.be/9TdDalo_XI0?si=pMOlJsPxu-CuW7rv All links: https://linktr.ee/thegeopoliticalpickle #BRICS #Geopolitics #Podcast

In this fourth episode we spoke with Dr. Susan Conrad from the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung about the Russian influence in Africa in the last decade. From Central African Republic, to the disinformation campaigns in the Sahel, we explore the actions of Russia and its affiliated actors (Wagner Group) directed at gaining presence in Africa at the expense of the West's eroding presence and with the help of disinformation. The Disinformation Project is created by The Geopolitical Pickle in collaboration with Masters in Geopolitics at Charles University, Prague. This podcast series is within the wider project "A Surge of Disinformation in Africa", a seminar that took place at Charles University, Prague, on 27th September 2024. You can find the full seminar on our YouTube channel. Join our free newsletter on Substack for more Geopolitical content: https://substack.com/@thegeopoliticalpickle . . . Follow The Geopolitical Pickle: Meta: @thegeopoliticalpickle X/Twitter: @thegeopickle Email: thegeopoliticalpickle@gmail.com

In this fourth episode we talked with Will Brown, a former journalist and current Senior Policy Fellow of the European Council of Foreign Relations, about the evolution of the socio-political landscape of the Sahel and East Africa. Starting with a background of the situation of both regions, we will explore the grievances against French position in the Sahel and how have disinformation campaigns shaped the perception of the public and military spheres to be positive towards Russia. The Disinformation Project is created by The Geopolitical Pickle in collaboration with Masters in Geopolitics at Charles University, Prague. This podcast series is within the wider project "A Surge of Disinformation in Africa", a seminar that took place at Charles University, Prague, on 27th September 2024. You can find the full seminar on our YouTube channel. Join our free newsletter on Substack for more Geopolitical content: https://thegeopoliticalpickle.substac... ... Follow The Geopolitical Pickle: Meta: @thegeopoliticalpickle X/Twitter: @thegeopickle Email: thegeopoliticalpickle@gmail.com

This is the third episode looking at Disinformation in Africa. Today we talk with Nicolas Henin, a journalist who has extensively covered the Iraq War and the Syrian Civil War. He has now moved his focus onto Disinformation activities in Africa as part of the group (Mis)Translating Deceit. With this background he gives us a great understanding of the current situation on the ground in Africa and how disinformation has been used by some actors to undermine democracy. . . . . The Disinformation Project is created by The Geopolitical Pickle in collaboration with Masters in Geopolitics at Charles University, Prague. This podcast series is within the wider project "A Surge of Disinformation in Africa", a seminar that took place at Charles University, Prague, on 27th September 2024. You can find the full seminar on our YouTube channel. Join our free newsletter on Substack for more Geopolitical content: https://thegeopoliticalpickle.substack.com/ ... Follow The Geopolitical Pickle: Meta: @thegeopoliticalpickle X/Twitter: @thegeopickle Email: thegeopoliticalpickle@gmail.com

In this second episode we interviewed Salem Solomon, Senior Editor at Voice of America (VOA) in its Africa Division. Salem will give us an overview of the media landscape in Africa. She explained us that Africa is a massive continent with different realities, and with a complicated record regarding press freedom. The introduction of social media has also impacted the landscape on the continent, making information more accessible to the population while introducing disinformation at a large scale. Join us for this amazing interview! . . . . Disinformation Project is created by The Geopolitical Pickle in collaboration with Master in Geopolitics of Charles University, Prague. This podcast series is within the wider project "A Surge of Disinformation in Africa", a seminar that took place at Charles University, Prague, on 27th September 2024. You can find the full seminar on our YouTube channel. Join our free newsletter on Substack: https://thegeopoliticalpickle.substac... Follow The Geopolitical Pickle: Meta: @thegeopoliticalpickle X/Twitter: @thegeopickle Email: thegeopoliticalpickle@gmail.com

In this first episode we interviewed Mark Duerksen, from Africa Center for Strategic Studies. Mark has been part of the project "Mapping the Surge of Disinformation in Africa" from ACSS, where they analyzed the disinformation landscape of Africa, mapping where did disinformation campaigns take place and who run them. Link to the project: https://africacenter.org/spotlight/mapping-a-surge-of-disinformation-in-africa/ Join us for an insightful talk about how do disinformation campaigns work in Africa, where do they take place, and how to address them. . . . Disinformation Project is created by The Geopolitical Pickle in collaboration with Master in Geopolitics of Charles University, Prague. This podcast series is within the wider project "A Surge of Disinformation in Africa", a seminar that took place at Charles University, Prague, on 27th September 2024. You can find the full seminar on our YouTube channel. Join our free newsletter on Substack: https://thegeopoliticalpickle.substack.com/ Follow The Geopolitical Pickle: Meta: @thegeopoliticalpickle X/Twitter: @thegeopickle Email: thegeopoliticalpickle@gmail.com

30 months on, the battle continues as Ukraine resists Russia's invasion. Today we are joined by Ridvan Bari Urcosta to discuss the current situation in Ukraine and how it is likely to evolve. What is the reason behind Ukraine's Kursk counter-operation and how are Ukrainian frontlines in the Donbas holding up? What could be the implications of USA allowing Ukraine to use long-range missiles like ATACMS in Russia? Is there a diplomatic way out of the conflict? Sign up for the upcoming Seminar "A Surge of Disinformation in Africa. Countering Authoritarian Narratives in Geopolitical Hotspots Across Africa" on 27/9 in Prague, Czech Republic. Facebook Event: https://fb.me/e/1Vh0FqWhn We will also be livestreaming the seminar on our YouTube channel from 8:50 AM. https://youtube.com/@thegeopoliticalpickle8165?si=tEpd1mwLQ3P9n3nk Sign up for our upcoming bi-weekly newsletter in the following link: https://thegeopoliticalpickle.substack.com/subscribe

Recent elections in Venezuela have brought back memories of 2018 when many countries recognised opposition leader Juan Guaidó, and an opposing bloc recognised incumbent Nicolás Maduro. This time following disputed elections, supporters of the opposition and leader Edmundo González claim they won the election in a landslide and can prove it with a tally of the votes. Find out how the situation has developed, and the regional and global implications, as well as an introduction to the use of sanctions on Venezuela and evaluation of their effectiveness. Stay tuned for the next episode for a sign up to our upcoming newsletter and as always we love when you reach out on social media.

Two of the BRICS member democracies had elections over May and June this year. The two countries are regional and global powerhouses. South Africa for the first time since the end of apartheid did not have an ANC majority, while for India, the predictions of a Modi supermajority also failed to come to pass. What impact will these two elections have on their region, BRICS, and the global geopolitical picture? To help understand, Senior Director at the New Lines Institute Kamran Bokhari (@KamranBokhari) joins us to talk through the situation in India at the outlook for the future.

Japan has recently shown an interest in joining AUKUS pillar two, the trilateral military-technological agreement between Australia, UK and USA. Although they are allies, Australia and UK seem hesitant, while the US, Japan's closest ally has been very supportive of the move. Is Japan joining AUKUS a real possibility, what can Tokyo bring to the table, and how would it affect regional security? #AUKUS #Japan #PacificSecurity #Geopolitics #SouthChinaSea

On 21st May, the Pentagon said that Russia had launched an anti-satellite weapon into space. This followed the February announcement that US intelligence believed that Moscow was developing a weapon of mass destruction or nuclear weapon to be used in space against foreign satellites. Do these threats usher in a new space race and what could that mean for the future of warfare, security, and the access and usage of space?

Last month, riots broke out in Noumea, the capital of New Caledonia - a small island grouping in the Pacific Ocean. These riots were in response to a French law that would give more people the right to vote on any future independence referendums on the territory. How does New Caledonia fit into France, why is it geopolitically important, and who are the interesting actors that are said to be involved in supporting the rioters amidst their quest for independence?

In July 2023, government troops stormed the capital Niamey in Niger, ousting the elected President and siezing power. Since then, the military regime in Niger has requested that the US troops pack up and leave their territory, leaving behind the US's largest drone base in the world in Agadez. Tune in as we explore how this will effect regional geopolitics and Washington's efforts to fight counter insurgencies and Islamic jihadist groups across the region. The Geopolitical Pickle is back and will be producing new content for you over the coming months. Stay tuned for more details on our series - The Disinformation Project - Coming soon. Episode links: What’s driving coups in West Africa? https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-ycx46-14cb271